Let's start the New Year off right!
The "practical size" Estes semi-scale Saturn V was introduced in 1969 and available through 1979.
I had assembled this model in the early 1970s, remembering some confusion about the clear plastic fins. This might have been the first kit to incorporate thru-the-wall fins!
The catalog picture at the right doesn't mention or show clear fins.
The engine mount coupler was clear plastic. The root edge of the fins were adhered to the internal coupler through thin slots cut into the BT-60 main tube.
Small self-adhesive paper fins were stuck onto the the permanent clear fins. This was a smart work around considering the clear fins and fairings.
There were small half dowels adding tunnel, fairing and ullage motor details.
The build starts tomorrow!
This is going to be another very cool retro build. I like these :-)
ReplyDeletegnaaah! Enterprise!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Phill,
DeleteI needed a break from a very frustrating Enterprise build! I stopped the Klingon build for a while but came back and finished it up. I've got to find a very light gray spray paint.
You may have seen pics of mine on FB - I understand... I have another and a Klingon Cruiser in the build pile so I'll get to 'em in a while.
DeleteAs far as paint for E goes, the Smithsonian says "Production Hull Gray-Green; LAB: L 64.45 A -3.53 B 2.40, Approximate match: Benjamin Moore “Heather Gray” # 2139-40, Note: Actual match is less green and less yellow (chip currently available from Benjamin Moore)." That equates to RGB: 151,158,152 - HEX: 979E98
I wasn't going to use household paint on a rocket, so ended up with Tamiya AS-11 (Medium Sea Grey RAF)
Hi Phill,
DeleteThanks for the Enterprise paint info!
Too bad there doesn't seem to be a Saturn V model rocket kit in this size range anymore (something that can be flown on a single 18mm motor). The last one I recall was the Dr Zooch kit.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the 1:200 RTF (ready-to-fly) from Estes is pretty nice, it's a tad pricey at around $90 -- only $20 more and you can get the 1:100 built-up kit (it's been on the "want to get" list since I got started in model rocketry).
Hi Naoto,
DeleteThe Dr. Zooch Saturn V is one of my favorite builds. It's the same scale as the Estes semi-scale but much better detail and nozzle bells stay on for flight!
I've seen MMX sized Saturn V models (such as the RTF from Quest, and the built-up one from Flis) -- does anybody know if there were any Saturn V models sized for 13mm mini engine size? I'd have to check to see if a "close enough" model could be built at that size using existing body tube sizes.
ReplyDeleteHi Naoto,
DeleteThe Quest MMX Saturn V is unstable unless you add larger clear fins. I don't know of any 13mm Saturn V kits out there.